Page 68 of Fractured Mind
“Why did he refuse?”
She breaks eye contact. I wasn’t sure if she was going to tell me. The need to know the answer keeps clawing at me, but I force my mouth to stay closed and wait. Her eyes meet mine. “Ashton wouldn’t leave because of you, and then after youraccident, he wanted to stay here because he hoped you’d come back.”
His pain assaults me. I want to hold him and reassure him I’m never leaving him again.
“After my conversation with Jade yesterday, I’d like to discuss something.”
I jerk my head in response to her sullen voice. My nerves thrum, and I have a gnawing pain in my stomach.
“After the accident happened... it devastated me because it was my fault your grandpa died and you lost your memory, but it also riddled me with guilt.”
Nana reaches over to place a hand on Mom’s shoulder. “No, I shouldn’t have asked the two of you to go to the shops for me. Mia was out jogging. I should have thought it through.”
“I don’t blame either of you.” I struggle to keep my voice even.
“It took many one-on-one counseling sessions to understand I can’t keep blaming myself for what happened that day. It was an accident, and I felt the need to let you know this because Jade seems to think Ashton blames himself as well.”
“Why would he do that?”
She heaves a weighty sigh and leans back in her chair. “He told Jade back then that if he was there, he could have stopped you from getting hurt.”
“Buthecould have gotten hurt.” He might have been injured or killed if he was there.
A sudden onslaught of soul-crushing pain engulfs me, and for the first time in my life, I’m grateful I was involved in the accident. Feeling the pain of someone I love being injured or worse, even for a moment, is unbearable, and I got only a glimpse of what my mom and Nana went through with not one but two people.
Mom smiles sadly at me. “We are all on our healing journeys, but when you’re ready, mention it to Ashton. Jade seems to think he needs to hear it from you.”
I nod, my throat thickening. When I consider the pain Mom, Nana, and Ashton experienced, it makes me sympathize with them, because on top of dealing with grief, they all blamed themselves.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
MIA
I stareat my reflection in the mirror. Since living here, I’ve put on weight and look healthier. Ruby said to dress sexy, so I’m wearing a fitted dark blue dress. I’m pleased with how it looks. It’s low cut at the front, showing my chest, while the straps drape over my shoulders, also showcasing my back.
The limousine parks up the street from Ruby and Jackson’s house because cars are parked everywhere, and I can already hear music blasting.
Wayne turns to face me after a few minutes. “Would you like for me to help you out?”
“I’m okay.” Even if I message Ruby to meet me out the front, she likely won’t hear her phone.
“When should I pick you up?”
Three hours should be enough. “Twelve, thanks.”
He stares at me with his gray brow raised, looking like he doesn’t believe me. “How about you call me when you’re ready?”
“Sure,” I reply.
As I step out, I’m trembling. This is my first-ever house party. I close the door, move to the sidewalk, and watch as he pulls away and drives up the street.
I walk toward the house, looking for someone I know, but I see no one familiar among the people huddled together in groups. When I reach the house, I see plastic cups littered everywhere, and I scrunch up my nose at people’s lack of respect. The house is massive and the design modern, but it’s on a much smaller plot of land than my nana’s.
Approaching the main door, I wait as three girls dash out with cups in their hands, the liquid sloshing everywhere. I go to step inside when a rude guy pushes past me, shoving me out of the way. I glower at him.
People are cheering Roman’s name, and when I turn, I see him smiling and waving at everyone. He killed it on the field yesterday, and thanks to him, we won thirty-five to zero. When he sees me, he flashes a smile, and now I can tell the difference between him being polite to others and the way he is around his friends.